[Saturday Morning - 8:00 AM - Mandarin Oriental Hotel]
Chen Wei woke to find Xiao Yue already awake, staring at the ceiling. The events of last night—his near-betrayal, his confession, their difficult conversation—hung heavy between them.
"Morning," he said softly.
"Morning," Xiao Yue replied, her voice still carrying a note of caution that hadn't been there before.
[Relationship Status: Trust Damaged But Repairing]
[Xiao Yue Favorability: 85/100]
[She loves you but is watching more carefully now]
"Xiao Yue, I—"
"I don't want to rehash last night right now," she interrupted gently. "We have a busy day. Business meetings with Victoria. And we need to figure out what to do about Jiang Lan."
Chen Wei nodded, respecting her need for space. They prepared for the day in relative silence, the easy intimacy they'd always shared now slightly strained.
As they dressed, Chen Wei's phone buzzed with multiple messages.
Victoria Chen: "Good morning, Mr. Chen! Today's meetings start at 10 AM. Sophia will be there to assist with presentations. Looking forward to finalizing our partnership! -VC"
Chen Wei grimaced. Sophia was the last person he wanted to see after rejecting her advances yesterday.
Another message came in from an unknown number:
Unknown: "Chen Wei, this is your father. Your grandfather Chen Jian gave me your Hong Kong number. We need to talk. There are things about our family you need to know. Call me when you can. -Dad"
[System Alert: Family Secrets Incoming]
[Your father has information about the system's history in your family]
Chen Wei's heart raced. His father never called unless it was serious. And the fact that his grandfather had facilitated this contact meant something significant was happening.
"Everything okay?" Xiao Yue asked, noticing his expression.
"My dad wants to talk," Chen Wei said, showing her the message. "About family history. My grandfather set it up."
"The system stuff?" Xiao Yue asked quietly.
Chen Wei nodded. "Probably. I should call him back, but not until after today's meetings. I need to focus on business first."
Before he could put his phone away, another message arrived—this one from Jiang Lan:
Jiang Lan: "Good morning, Chen Wei. I hope you slept well after standing me up. Since you won't meet me privately, I'm extending a formal invitation to tonight's charity gala at the Hong Kong Convention Center. It's the social event of the season—all of Hong Kong's elite will be there. Bring your girlfriend if you must. We'll finally have that conversation, whether you want to or not. -JL"
[Jiang Lan: Forcing a public confrontation]
[She won't be ignored or avoided]
Chen Wei showed this message to Xiao Yue as well. Complete transparency, like he'd promised.
"A charity gala with your dangerous rival who has her own system," Xiao Yue said dryly. "Sounds perfectly safe and not at all like a trap."
"We don't have to go," Chen Wei said.
"Yes, we do," Xiao Yue corrected. "Running from her shows weakness. We face her directly, with Bai Yue beside us, and we establish boundaries. Plus..." she managed a small smile, "I've always wanted to go to a proper Hong Kong gala. Might as well look stunning while dealing with your enemies."
[Xiao Yue: Finding strength despite hurt]
[She's tougher than she appears]
A knock at the door interrupted them. Bai Yue entered without waiting, carrying coffee and looking unusually serious.
"We need to talk before the meeting," Bai Yue said without preamble. "I did some digging on Jiang Lan last night. She's more dangerous than we thought."
They sat in the suite's living area while Bai Yue pulled out her tablet.
"Jiang Lan isn't just a successful businesswoman with a system," Bai Yue explained. "She's connected to the Triads—specifically the Sun Yee On, one of Hong Kong's most powerful organized crime groups. Her legitimate business empire is built on a foundation of money laundering, extortion, and intimidation."
[Critical Intelligence: Jiang Lan's True Nature]
[She's not just ambitious—she's criminal]
"How did you find this out?" Chen Wei asked.
"I have my own intelligence network," Bai Yue said. "Tianlong Group doesn't become that powerful without knowing Hong Kong's real power structure. Jiang Lan is untouchable here—police, politicians, business leaders, all either on her payroll or afraid of her."
"So what do we do?" Xiao Yue asked. "Leave Hong Kong immediately?"
"No," Bai Yue said firmly. "That shows weakness and invites pursuit. We attend the gala tonight, meet her on neutral public ground, and make it clear that we're not interested in being enemies but also won't be intimidated."
"Diplomacy with a crime boss who has supernatural powers," Chen Wei said. "What could go wrong?"
"Everything," Bai Yue admitted. "Which is why Liu Han and Zhang Mei will be at the gala in formal wear, armed and ready. And why I'm calling in additional security from Tianlong Group. We're not taking chances."
[10:00 AM - Victoria Chen's Corporate Office]
The morning meeting should have been straightforward—finalizing contracts, discussing expansion timelines, reviewing financial projections. But Sophia's presence made everything complicated.
She'd dressed even more provocatively than yesterday—a dress that was technically business appropriate but left little to imagination. And she made sure to position herself as close to Chen Wei as possible throughout the presentation.
"Chen Wei," Sophia purred, leaning over his shoulder to point at a document, her perfume overwhelming and her body deliberately pressing against him. "What do you think about this clause?"
Chen Wei shifted away. "It looks fine. Xiao Yue, can you review the numbers?"
Xiao Yue, sitting on Chen Wei's other side, met Sophia's eyes with quiet steel. "Of course. The projections look accurate, though we should adjust for currency fluctuation risks."
[Xiao Yue: Marking territory subtly but clearly]
[Despite hurt feelings, she's defending her relationship]
Sophia's smile turned brittle. Throughout the meeting, she continued her attempts to gain Chen Wei's attention, each one more blatant than the last. But Chen Wei maintained professional distance, directing all interaction through business discussion and including Xiao Yue in every decision.
Victoria noticed the dynamic and seemed both amused and exasperated by her daughter's behavior.
During a break, Victoria pulled Chen Wei aside privately.
"I apologize for Sophia," Victoria said quietly. "She's used to getting what she wants, and rejection makes her... persistent. I've spoken to her about maintaining professionalism, but she's stubborn."
"It's fine," Chen Wei said diplomatically. "I'm committed to Xiao Yue. I hope that's clear."
"It is to everyone except my daughter," Victoria said with a sigh. "But don't worry—after today's meetings conclude, Sophia will be returning to Los Angeles. She has business school classes to attend. You won't have to deal with her pursuit anymore."
[Sophia: Temporary threat being removed]
[But she won't forget the rejection]
The meeting concluded successfully around 2 PM. The international partnership was fully solidified—¥500 million invested, expansion plans approved, offices scheduled to open in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Los Angeles within six months.
As they prepared to leave, Sophia made one final attempt. She "accidentally" dropped her phone, bending down in front of Chen Wei in a way that was anything but accidental. When she straightened, she pressed a piece of paper into his hand.
"My private number in LA," she whispered. "When you get tired of playing house with the kindergarten teacher, call me. I'll show you what a real woman can do."
Chen Wei handed the paper back immediately. "I won't be calling, Sophia. Ever. Please respect that."
[Final Rejection: Clear and Unambiguous]
[Sophia Favorability: 40/100 → 15/100]
[Status: Rejected and Humiliated → Active Enemy]
Sophia's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "You'll regret this, Chen Wei. Nobody turns down a Chen and walks away clean."
"Is that a threat?" Bai Yue's cold voice cut through the tension. She'd appeared behind them, her Ice Empress persona fully activated. "Because threatening business partners is a good way to destroy your family's reputation."
Sophia glared at Bai Yue, then at Chen Wei, then stormed off without another word.
Victoria, who'd witnessed the exchange, looked apologetic. "I'm sorry about that. Sophia will calm down eventually. She always does."
"I hope so," Chen Wei said. But something told him this wasn't over.
[4:00 PM - Preparing for the Gala]
Back at the hotel, Chen Wei finally had time to call his father. The phone rang three times before his dad answered.
"Chen Wei," his father's familiar voice said. There was tension in it, worry. "Thank you for calling back."
"Dad, what's going on? Grandfather said you needed to talk about family history?"
"Yes," his father said. "Your grandfather called me last night. Told me you'd activated the Money God System. Told me you needed to know the truth about our family."
[Father Knows About the System]
[More family secrets about to be revealed]
"You know about the system?" Chen Wei asked, surprised. "Grandfather said he never told you."
"He didn't," his father confirmed. "I figured it out on my own. When my father—your grandfather—suddenly became wealthy forty years ago, I knew something unnatural had happened. And when he just as suddenly gave it all away and became a recluse, I knew there was a price."
His father took a deep breath. "Chen Wei, there's something you need to know about why you were chosen. It's not random. The system targets specific bloodlines—families with certain genetic markers that make them susceptible to its influence."
"Genetic markers?" Chen Wei asked.
"Intelligence, ambition, moral flexibility, emotional intensity—all traits that run in our family," his father explained. "Your grandfather had them. I have them, though I've fought against them my whole life. And you have them too, son. That's why you were chosen."
[System Selection Criteria Revealed]
[Your family is genetically predisposed to system selection]
"Why are you telling me this now?" Chen Wei asked.
"Because your grandfather is worried about you," his father said. "He sees patterns in your behavior—the rapid success, the multiple women interested in you, the moral compromises you're being tempted to make. He's scared you'll end up like him, or worse."
"I'm handling it," Chen Wei said defensively.
"Are you?" his father challenged. "Your grandfather told me about the near-betrayal. About Sophia and Jiang Lan. About how the system is pushing you toward polyamory and moral corruption. Chen Wei, I know these temptations. I felt them myself when I was younger, even without a system. Our family has a darkness in it—an ability to compartmentalize, to rationalize, to take what we want without feeling appropriate guilt."
[Family Genetic Trait: Moral Flexibility]
[This explains your darker impulses]
"So what am I supposed to do?" Chen Wei asked, frustrated. "Fight my own genetics?"
"Yes," his father said firmly. "That's exactly what you do. I've spent my whole life running a small convenience store, staying humble, avoiding temptation. Your mother and I chose a simple life specifically to avoid the corruption that wealth and power bring. We're happy, Chen Wei. Genuinely happy. Can you say the same?"
Chen Wei was silent. Could he? He had wealth, success, a beautiful girlfriend, powerful allies. But happy? The constant stress, the temptations, the threats, the system's demands—was that happiness?
"Think about what you really want," his father continued. "Not what the system wants. Not what society says success looks like. What do you, Chen Wei, actually want your life to be?"
"I don't know anymore," Chen Wei admitted quietly.
"Then figure it out before it's too late," his father said. "And son? Your mother and I love you. Whatever you decide, whatever path you choose, we love you. But we'd rather have a son who's genuinely happy than one who's rich and miserable."
[Parental Wisdom: Choose Happiness Over Success]
After the call ended, Chen Wei sat in silence, processing. His phone buzzed with a message from his mother:
Mom: "Your father told me he talked to you. I want you to know something, son. When we met, your father's family had money. They wanted him to take over the family business, become wealthy and powerful like his father. But he chose me instead—a poor girl from the countryside—and gave up his inheritance. People thought he was crazy. But twenty-five years later, we're still happy and in love. That's real wealth. Think about what you're willing to sacrifice for real happiness. Love you. -Mom"
[Mother's Message: Love and Happiness Trump Wealth]
[Your parents made the opposite choice from your grandfather]
Chen Wei felt something shift inside him. His parents had chosen love and simplicity over wealth and power. His grandfather had chosen wealth and power and regretted it for forty years.
What would Chen Wei choose?
[7:00 PM - Hong Kong Convention Center - Charity Gala]
The gala was spectacular—Hong Kong's elite dressed in designer gowns and tuxedos, champagne flowing freely, a live orchestra playing, and millions of dollars being raised for various charities.
Chen Wei wore a custom Tom Ford tuxedo. Xiao Yue was breathtaking in a new emerald gown that Bai Yue had insisted on buying for her—elegant, sophisticated, and stunning. Bai Yue herself wore ice-blue silk that made her look like a winter goddess.
The three of them entered together, a unified front. Liu Han and Zhang Mei followed in formal wear, weapons concealed but accessible.
Eyes turned to watch them—whispers spreading through the crowd about the young mainland entrepreneur who'd partnered with Tianlong Group, the beautiful girlfriend, and the legendary Ice Empress.
"Quite the entrance," a smooth voice said from behind them.
They turned to find Jiang Lan standing there in a blood-red gown that clung to every curve. She looked like sin personified—beautiful, dangerous, and utterly confident.
[Jiang Lan: Beauty Rating 95/100, Danger Level EXTREME]
[Favorability: 20/100 - Interested but Hostile]
"Jiang Lan," Bai Yue said coolly. "Thank you for the invitation."
"I didn't invite you, Ice Empress," Jiang Lan replied with a sharp smile. "But I suppose you come as a package deal with young Chen Wei here."
Her eyes swept over Xiao Yue dismissively before settling on Chen Wei. "So this is the famous girlfriend worth rejecting me for. She's... cute. I suppose."
[Jiang Lan: Insulting Xiao Yue to provoke reaction]
Xiao Yue stepped forward, meeting Jiang Lan's gaze without flinching. "And you're the woman who thinks power and wealth can buy anything. I suppose that works in your world. In mine, genuine connection matters more."
[Xiao Yue: Standing up to dangerous rival]
[Jiang Lan Favorability toward Xiao Yue: +5 for showing courage]
Jiang Lan's eyebrows rose with surprise and grudging respect. "She has spirit. I like that. Most women cower when I speak to them."
"Most women aren't dating Chen Wei," Xiao Yue said firmly. "I've learned to be brave."
Jiang Lan laughed—genuinely amused. "Perhaps I underestimated you." She turned to Chen Wei. "Come. We need to talk. Privately. Just business, I promise. Your little girlfriend and the Ice Empress can watch from a distance if they don't trust me."
[Critical Choice: Accept Private Conversation or Refuse]
[Refusing might antagonize her further]
[Accepting requires trust from Xiao Yue]
Chen Wei looked at Xiao Yue, silently asking permission. She hesitated, then nodded.
"Go," Xiao Yue said. "But Liu Han goes with you. And I want you where I can see you."
"Fair enough," Jiang Lan said. "Come, Chen Wei. Let's step onto the balcony. Glass walls—your girlfriend can watch everything."
They moved to a balcony overlooking Hong Kong's harbor, Liu Han positioning himself nearby but out of earshot. Through the glass, Chen Wei could see Xiao Yue and Bai Yue watching intently.
"You really love her, don't you?" Jiang Lan said, not as a question but an observation. "The kindergarten teacher."
"Her name is Xiao Yue," Chen Wei said. "And yes, I love her."
"Why?" Jiang Lan asked, genuinely curious. "You could have anyone—models, actresses, businesswomen, me. Why limit yourself to one ordinary woman?"
"Because she's not ordinary," Chen Wei said. "She's extraordinary. She loved me when I had nothing. She stays with me despite knowing about the system's temptations. She's brave, kind, genuine, and real. That's rarer than beauty or success."
[Character Affirmation: Defending Xiao Yue]
[Jiang Lan Favorability: 20/100 → 35/100]
[Your conviction impresses her despite herself]
Jiang Lan was quiet for a moment, something flickering across her face—was it envy? Regret?
"I had someone like that once," she said quietly. "Before the system fully took hold. A man who loved me for me, not my wealth or power. I pushed him away because the system told me emotional attachments were weaknesses. Now he's married to someone else, has three children, and is genuinely happy. And I..." she gestured to herself, "I have billions and no one who actually gives a damn if I live or die."
[Jiang Lan Vulnerability: Brief glimpse of humanity]
[She's lonely despite her power]
"It's not too late," Chen Wei said. "You could still choose differently."
"Yes, it is," Jiang Lan said, her mask sliding back into place. "I've gone too far down this path. But you haven't, Chen Wei. You still have a choice. That's why I wanted to talk to you."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not your enemy," Jiang Lan said. "Or at least, I don't have to be. I have no interest in competing with you for Hong Kong's entertainment market—it's too small for my ambitions. I'm expanding into Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia. Huge markets, untapped potential."
She pulled out a business card. "I'm proposing an alliance. Not romantic—your girlfriend made it clear that's not happening. But business. You take Hong Kong and mainland China. I take Southeast Asia. We cooperate on projects that span regions, share resources and intelligence, and watch each other's backs."
[Business Alliance Proposal]
[Potential benefits: Regional cooperation, shared intelligence]
[Risks: Aligning with someone criminal and morally compromised]
"Why would you offer this?" Chen Wei asked suspiciously.
"Because system users should stick together," Jiang Lan said. "There are forces that want to destroy us—governments, rival business groups, even other system users who see us as threats. Your grandfather learned this the hard way. Don't repeat his mistakes."
She leaned closer, her voice dropping. "Also, I respect you. You're one of the few people who've rejected me and lived to tell about it. That takes either stupidity or genuine strength. I'm betting on strength."
[Jiang Lan: Respects strength and loyalty]
[She's dangerous but potentially valuable ally]
"I need to discuss this with my partners," Chen Wei said. "Bai Yue, Xiao Yue, my business team. I don't make major decisions alone."
"Smart," Jiang Lan approved. "Another difference between you and most men—you actually listen to women instead of just collecting them like trophies." She handed him the card. "Think about it. The offer expires in one week. After that, I consider you competition and act accordingly."
She started to walk away, then paused. "Oh, and Chen Wei? Your girlfriend is watching us very carefully. You should go reassure her that I wasn't seducing you. I can see her jealousy from here."
[Jiang Lan: Observant and manipulative]
[But also not overtly hostile anymore]
Chen Wei returned to Xiao Yue and Bai Yue, who immediately peppered him with questions.
"What did she want?" Xiao Yue asked.
"Business alliance," Chen Wei explained, showing them Jiang Lan's card. "Regional cooperation, shared resources, mutual non-aggression pact."
"Do you trust her?" Bai Yue asked.
"No," Chen Wei said honestly. "But I think she's being sincere about not wanting to be enemies. She's lonely, powerful, and looking for allies who understand what she's going through."
"She's also a criminal with Triad connections," Bai Yue reminded him. "Aligning with her could damage your reputation if it becomes public."
"But refusing could make her an active enemy," Xiao Yue pointed out. "Which is more dangerous?"
[Complex Strategic Decision]
[No clear right answer]
"We have a week to decide," Chen Wei said. "Let's enjoy the gala for now and figure this out later."
The rest of the evening passed smoothly. They networked with Hong Kong's elite, donated generously to the charity (¥5 million, which impressed everyone), and presented themselves as a united, powerful team.
Jiang Lan watched from across the room, occasionally raising her glass in acknowledgment but keeping her distance as promised.
[11:00 PM - Back at Hotel]
Exhausted but satisfied, they returned to the Mandarin Oriental. Bai Yue went to her suite, leaving Chen Wei and Xiao Yue alone.
As they prepared for bed, Xiao Yue was unusually quiet.
"What are you thinking?" Chen Wei asked.
"About your parents," Xiao Yue said. "About how they chose love and simplicity over wealth and power. About how they're happy. About whether we can have both or if it's always a choice."
She turned to face him. "Chen Wei, do you think we can do this? Build an empire but stay human? Get rich but stay in love? Or are we fooling ourselves?"
[Fundamental Question About Their Future]
[This goes to the heart of everything]
Chen Wei pulled her close. "I don't know," he admitted honestly. "But I know this: I'd rather fail trying to have both with you than succeed at having just wealth without you. My parents chose love. My grandfather chose wealth. I want to choose both, and if I can't have both, I choose you."
"Promise?" Xiao Yue whispered.
"Promise," Chen Wei said firmly. "Every time it comes down to a choice, I choose you. The system can offer me the world, but you're my world. Everything else is just details."
[Commitment Reaffirmed]
[Xiao Yue Favorability: 85/100 → 95/100]
[Trust Significantly Restored]
They made love that night with renewed passion and tenderness—not desperate like after his near-betrayal, but affirming, celebrating their choice to fight for each other against everything trying to pull them apart.
Afterward, as they lay tangled together, Chen Wei's phone buzzed with a final message.
Grandfather Chen Jian: "Your father told me about your conversation. I'm proud of you, grandson. You're asking the right questions. The fact that you're choosing love over pure power means you're stronger than I ever was. Keep choosing her. Keep choosing humanity. That's how you beat the system. -Grandfather"
Chen Wei smiled and held Xiao Yue tighter.
Tomorrow they'd return to Jianghai. There would be more challenges—business expansion, competitive threats, system temptations. But tonight, they had each other.
And that was enough.